Published on :
Aged 38, referee Stéphanie Frappart has been selected among the 36 central referees of the World Cup-2022 which will be played in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, alongside two other women. The athlete welcomes a “strong sign” from the football authorities.
This is a first in the World Cup. Having decided to select three women among the central referees of the World Cup-2022 in Qatar “is a strong sign” from the football authorities, underlined the French Stephanie Frappart, Thursday, September 29.
“I am not the decision maker of the place of the World Cup. The authorities have made their choice”, estimated the 38-year-old referee, selected among the 36 central referees of the World Cup (November 20-December 18).
>> To read also: “‘Long live women’: despite the risks, an unfailing commitment of Iranian footballers”
Asked about the choice of the gas emirate, regularly criticized for its respect for human rights and the place of women in its society, Stéphanie Frappart acknowledged that “sport often plays a role”.
“You are always attentive when you are a woman in this country. I was there three, four weeks ago and I was well received,” she said during a press briefing at the center. national football club, in Clairefontaine, near Paris.
Awards to his credit
“It’s also a strong sign from Fifa and the authorities to have women referee in that country. I’m not a feminist spokesperson, but if that can make things happen…”, he said. she resumed.
Alongside the Rwandan Salima Mukansanga and the Japanese Yoshimi Yamashita – as well as three other women appointed as assistants – Stéphanie Frappart will be at the whistle of at least one meeting in Qatar.
Frappart had already become the first female referee in the French second division (2014), in the men’s Ligue 1 (2019), in the European Supercup (August 2019), in the Champions League (December 2020) and in the final of the Coupe de France ( May 7).
>> To read also: “Football World Cup in Qatar: Fifa called on to compensate migrant workers”
In Qatar, the policy of “Qatarization” – that is to say of training and employing a Qatari workforce, starting with positions of responsibility, in a country where 80% of the population is made up of expatriates – has allowed women massive access to higher education and the job market.
Nevertheless, under the guardianship system common to the region, women remain tied to a male guardian, usually their father, brother, grandfather, uncle or husband.
They need his authorization to make a number of decisions (such as getting married, studying or traveling abroad, taking up certain jobs, opening a bank account for their children, etc.).
With AFP
